100 Modern Classic Movies Meme

It’s irresistible … and goes a long way to showing why the doomsayers have been saying books are dying, because if people like her and myself [and me], who are avid book readers, watch as many movies as we have, then where do we find time to read? Yet we do. Two different forms of telling stories. There are times when I want movies, and many, many more times when I want to read a book. In fact, I will reread a book more often than rewatch at film, because I find rewatching movies I only like, rather than thoroughly enjoy, almost impossible unless I turn my brain off. So, here is my views of the 100 Modern Classic Movies — note the word modern, because almost all of these movies came out in 1980 or later.

Instructions are to bold movies we’ve seen. I’ve added my own comments — so you can see if we share the same tastes or not.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994) — Gratuitious violence, I’m glad I don’t have clear memories of this one, caught by accident (I don’t think I saw the whole thing) in college.
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03) — I own these! And have watched them more than once, after seeing them in the theater.
3. Titanic (1997) — I’ve seen it more than once. It wasn’t too bad. But not that great, either.
4. Blue Velvet (1986)
5. Toy Story (1995) — Yay for Pixar! A great story, a great film.
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998 ) — Saw it in the theater, and I think I’ve seen it since. Hard to watch, but an excellently made film.
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) — Could I really have not seen this? It’s named after me!
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — Nope, haven’t seen it.
9. Die Hard (1988 )
10. Moulin Rouge (2001) — Enh. Not that great, in my opinion.
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
12. The Matrix (1999) — A great movie. Sorry I don’t own it. The second installment in the trilogy paled in comparison, though.
13. GoodFellas (1990)
14. Crumb (1995) — I’m not sure I’ve even heard of this one.
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990) — I’m not much for Halloween movies.
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989)
19. Casino Royale (2006) — Bond, James Bond. A dynasty. A solid movie.
20. The Lion King (1994) — Pixar’s better. Though this is better than all the movies that came after it, recycling the same characters.
21. Schindler’s List (1993) — incredible, riveting, but so sad.
22. Rushmore (1998 )
23. Memento (2001) – When I saw this title here I thought it might be adapted from Muriel Sparks’ Memento Muri, but no. Some other guy’s short story by the same name.
24. A Room with a View (1986) — Guess not.
25. Shrek (2001) — Still funny.
26. Hoop Dreams (1994) — A documentary? Probably haven’t seen it.
27. Aliens (1986) — Not sure I’ve heard of it. Not a fan of the horror genre.
28. Wings of Desire (1988 ) — Nope.
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004) — I’ve seen all the Bourne movies, and have quite enjoyed them. I’d like to own them.
30. When Harry Met Sally… (1989) — A fun film.
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
32. Fight Club (1999) — Um, no.
33. The Breakfast Club (1985) — I remember this being quite fun.
34. Fargo (1996)
35. The Incredibles (2004) — Go Pixar! I wish I owned this one (actually, make that all the Pixar works).
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004) — Of course I’ve seen Spider-Man (2)!
37. Pretty Woman (1990)
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) — One of the best movies of all times. Awesome!
39. The Sixth Sense (1999)
40. Speed (1994) — Truly a classic.
41. Dazed and Confused (1993) — Pretty sure I haven’t seen this one.
42. Clueless (1995) — Pretty fun(ny).
43. Gladiator (2000) — A great, timeless cinematic work with a tremendous storyline.
44. The Player (1992) — What?
45. Rain Man (1988 ) — I’d like to see this one.
46. Children of Men (2006) — I just added this to the Netflix queue.
47. Men in Black (1997) — Although I was grossed out by a few scenes when I saw it in the theater, I think back on it in fondness.
48. Scarface (1983) — Nope.
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) — Amazing. I’ve gone on to watch quite a few Chinese films.
50. The Piano (1993) — Glad I’ve seen this only once; it’s so sad! But then, look when and where it’s set.
51. There Will Be Blood (2007) — Not yet.
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988 ) — No.
53. The Truman Show (1998 ) — Amazing, outstanding. Another one I should own.
54. Fatal Attraction (1987)
55. Risky Business (1983) — I don’t think I’ve seen this, but I’m not sure.
56. The Lives of Others (2006) —
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998 ) — I don’t have a great appreciation for slapstick.
58. Ghostbusters (1984) — Haven’t seen it. Feel like I’m missing out.
59. L.A. Confidential (1997) — A mystery/crime movie? Maybe I should see it.
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)
63. Big (1988 )
64. No Country For Old Men (2007) — Haven’t seen this yet, but I do intend to. Just takes the right mood.
65. Dirty Dancing (1987) — I don’t think I’ve seen this all the way through. I know I’ve seen parts of it, though.
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
68. Witness (1985) — Looks like it could be good. Don’t know if I’d heard of it.
69. All About My Mother (1999)
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992)
72. Thelma & Louise (1991) — Ooh, this has Geena Davis in it? I should see it.
73. Office Space (1999) — Yes, I’ve seen it. Although I kind of regret it.
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985) — Yep.
76. The Departed (2006) — A pretty good movie, for a mob movie.
77. Sid and Nancy (1986)
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) — Pretty sure I haven’t seen any of the Terminator movies.
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996) — Ah, the beloved mockumentaries.
80. Michael Clayton (2007) — A really good, straightforward film. A very good watch.
81. Moonstruck (1987)
82. Lost in Translation (2003) — I must not have gotten this. I thought it was dumb.
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
84. Sideways (2004) — I unfortunately saw this. Horrible, awful. I cringe just thinking about it.
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002) — It’s in the Netflix queue.
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) — hahaha! So funny.
91. Back to the Future (1985) — Yep.
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994)
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999) — Nope, never even seen an episode on TV, and I’m OK with that.

Agree? Disagree?

I think it’s clear that I missed a lot of movies from the 1980s and the early 1990s. That’s not surprising, since I simply didn’t watch many during that time. Let me know if you do this and I’ll come see your answers!

I am so glad to see there is a person on this earth who has seen even less movies than I have! And where was “O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ on this list? And no “Star Wars”? My best friend and I get along so so well, but we disagree on EVERY movie there is. haha – thanks for sharing!

I’m pretty sure a lot of the movies on this list that I haven’t seen, particularly the first half of the time period, I missed mostly because I’m young — I haven’t reached my 10-year college reunion yet — and also because my parents didn’t (and still don’t) watch hardly any movies. While I was under their roof, I didn’t watch many either.

Everyone says it’s so funny lol lol lol.. but i just don’t get the humour in it, sure I see that it’s supposed to be awkward and random, but the whole way through.. really… the only amusing part, for me, was the end when he did that dance.

Such a writeup!! Very informative and straightforward to be aware of. In search of more such comments!! Have a facebook? I recommended it on digg. The only thing that itâ€™s missing is a bit of color. However thanks for these details.

I really don’t think you should be writing about movies. Ever. Sure, the list is all right. But clearly, you don’t even know what you’re saying. And the comments show exactly that, since you apparently haven’t seen nearly half of these films. And despising movies like Fight Club, The Silence of the Lambs, Moulin Rouge, Edward Scissorhands, Memento (I was shocked with your saying “Some other guy’s short story by the same name”), Aliens (which even though I don’t like, is an extremely well known movie), There’s Something About Mary (really?), Ghostbusters (I mean, c’mon!), Office Space, AND Lost in Translation (yeah, you definitely didn’t get it)…

And seriously, Spider Man 2? I’m a portuguese 18 year old and I’m shocked at everything you said.

…
… uhhh
Does anyone other than me understand what is meant by “classic?” I don’t necessarily agree with all of the movies on the list being a classic but the comments you left next to them. Such inspired phrasing as “yep” and “haven’t seen it.”
btw, when using the descriptor “classic” in reference to a movie one tends to mean that it is relate-able regardless of the age of the film. I absolutely hate that this worthless meme is near the top of google’s returned search…

The one movie that has been on my mind that really includes everything a modern movie should have is Independence Day. This movie makes use of all the modern movie making techniques and I feel it does a pretty good job in all these areas. A definite necessary add to the upper portion of the list